JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Eastern head coach Bob Spoo watched an opposing coach experience something he felt one year ago.

Looking forward to two to three weeks of rest and recovery, the Panther cross country teams return to Eastern this weekend with one more season behind them. Although the runners put forth some season-best races, none advanced to the NCAA Championship race. Eastern had one runner, Jeff Jonaitis, finish in the top 25, earning him All-Regional honors.

COLUMBIA, Mo. - A few inches. That's how close Eastern was to tying the game after it fell behind 1-0 to Missouri in the early minutes of the second half of their first round Women's College Cup game.

An hour before Saturday night's tip-off, Eastern's final preseason opponent, a traveling exhibition team, arrived at Lantz Arena.

Megan Sparks scored a game-high 25 points but the Premier All-Stars used an 18-4 second half run to hand Eastern Illinois University a 76-69 exhibition loss Sunday afternoon in Lantz Arena. The Panthers hosted their only exhibition game.

Hopes of gaining the sixth and final spot in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament ended this weekend for the Eastern volleyball team as the Panthers split a pair of road matches to close out the season.

"It's sad." Those were the few words Beth Liesen could muster as she held back tears after a 1-0 loss Friday to Missouri in the first round of the 2003 Women's College Cup.

Eastern still has a say in which team will host the Ohio Valley Conference Championship and the teams primary goal is an upset.

Eastern's cross country teams will head to Stillwater, Okla., Saturday to race in what could be its last race of the season. The NCAA Regional race is a very large meet, hosting 30 teams in both the men's and women's fields, and the Panthers have only sent a couple of runners to the NCAA Championships since coach John McInerney's reign of 11 years.

The women's soccer team traveled 255 miles Thursday morning to its new home stadium.

Eastern's volleyball team will have its last chance to win a playoff berth.

The start of the college basketball regular season is quickly approaching, and it couldn't be too soon.